Registration open for SFA Homecoming 5K

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Stephen F. Austin State University’s campus recreation and alumni association will host the ninth annual Homecoming 5K beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, on the SFA campus near the new Ed and Gwen Cole STEM Building located off Clark Boulevard.

The event brings together students, alumni, faculty and staff, and community members to raise money for SFA scholarships and celebrate this year’s Homecoming theme, “Decades.” The 3.1-mile course winds through the beautiful SFA campus and along the paved trails of the SFA Gardens’ Tucker Woods, the arboretum and Lanana Creek Trail. This year “virtual runners” also will be able to participate.

“Supporters don’t have to live in the Nacogdoches-area to join in the fun,” said Katie Blevins, campus recreation promotions and sponsorship coordinator. “Anyone can be a virtual runner or walker and complete a 5K course in his or her hometown. This allows participants to show their purple pride during SFA’s Homecoming week celebration from any location at any time during Homecoming week.”

Participants are encouraged to register before Oct. 12 to guarantee a race T-shirt. The student registration rate is $15, the faculty, staff, alumni and virtual runner rate is $25, and the community member rate is $35. A 1-mile option also is available for $5 but does not include a T-shirt. T-shirts may be purchased for an additional $10. Registration also is available on race day beginning at 4 p.m.

“This year, we are encouraging participants to dress in costume and enter the #SFA5K Costume Contest,” Blevins said. “The contest will offer an individual costume category, as well as a team category. We hope friends, family members and coworkers will dress in purple to show their SFA spirit, or as a favorite TV or movie character from the past, present or future to celebrate the decades theme.”

The Homecoming 5K is a family and dog friendly event. Winners in each category will be recognized during an awards ceremony after the race.